Dimmer switch



Oct. 13, 1942. A. A. BLUEMLE 2,298,782

DIMMER SWITCH INVENTOR Hrnb/a' H .B/uem/e {h ATTORNEYS Patented Oct.13,, 1942 DHVIMEB SWITCH Arnold A. Bluemle, Anderson, Ind., assignor toGeneral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application May 21, 1940, Serial No. 336,422

17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in switch mechanism andmore particularly to improvements in construction and operation of socalled dimmer switches for controlling the front lights of vehicles,such as automobiles.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved switchmechanism which is simple in construction and highly efiective in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-way switchmechanism of the type including a pair of switches that are sointerconnected whereby successive full stroke manipulations of a singleoperating member will control both switches to connect differentelectrical circuits, and if so desired the operating member may bemaniplated a partial stroke to actuate one switch without ell'ecting theposition of the other switch to modify temporarily one of I the circuitswhen connected, while the alternate full stroke manipulations completethe same circuit.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing whereina--preferred'embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 gives a rear plan view of the assembled switch mechanism embodiedin the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the normalposition of the switch mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the corresponding parts inoperative relation when the operating member is partially depressed.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically the wiring diagram and the switchmechanism employed for accomplishing the aforesaid mentioned control ofthe vehicle front lights.

Referring to the drawing the improved switch mechanism comprises ingeneral a supporting bracket or plate 23 having a cup-shaped housing 2|attached to under side thereof and having a tubular sleeve 22 projectingfrom its upper side. The sleeve is firmly attached to the plate 23 byseveral integral lugs 23 passing through suitable apertures in the plateand bent over against the under side of the plate 23, as clearly shownin Fig. 2. The sleeve 22 is provided with an integral internal flange 24at its upper end to provide a seat for an apertured disc 24. The disc 23is held against the flange 24 by a heavy compression spring 2%interposed between the plate 20 and the washer 23.

The upper end of the sleeve 22 is telescopically engaged by a cup-shapedbutton 30 to provide a cover for the sleeve 22. The button 30 isattached to the upper end of a plunger element 3|. This plunger isstamped from sheet metal and has an enlarged portion 32 and a reducedportion 33 to provid shoulders 34 which normally engage the under sideof the bracket 20. The reduced portion 33 passes loosely through theapertures provided in the plate 20 and the disc 25. A light compressionspring 35 around the reduced portion 33 is disposed between the washer25 and the button 30. The spring operates to hold the button in itsuppermost position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The spring 35 alsooperates to hold the shoulders 34 of the plunger 3| against the underside of the bracket of plate 20 which acts as a stop for the plunger tolimit the upward travel thereof.

A pivot stud or post is attached at one end to a back wall 4| of thhousing 2|. This stud 43 has a sliding fit with the side marginal wallsof an elongated slot 42 provided in the enlarged portion 32 of theplunger element 3|. The free end of the stud 40 projects thru the slot42 and beyond the outer face of plunger. The slot 42 together withrectangular openings in the plate 23 and disc 25 guide the plungerelement 3| in a straight line movement. The shaft portion of the stud 40which projects beyond the plunger element 3| provides a pivot for anapertured drive disc or plate 43. This drive plate 43 has a plurality ofcam portions 44 that are equally spaced in a circular row about the axisof the plate 43. The cam portions 44 are preferably punched out of theplane of the disc 43 so that straight edge portiops 43 are provided toreceive progressively a projection 46 carried by the enlarged portion 32of the plunger element 3|. In the normal position of the plunger element3| the projection 43 is spaced a predetermined distance above one of thestraight edges 43 that is next adapted to receive the projection 43, seeFig. 2. When the plunger element is given a partial stroke theprojection 43 can move the predetermined distance without effecting theposition of the drive plate 43. When the plunger has moved thepredetermined distance the projection 46 will be in a position to engageone of the straight edges so that any further downward movement of theplunger the projection 46 will actuate the drive disc in a clockwisedirection. In case the plunger is given a full stroke the projectionwill rotate the plate substantially 60 degrees about the pivot stud 6d.The periphery of the drive disc 53 is provided with an angular car 41for driving a contact assembly 50.

The movable contact assembly 5|) is removably mounted On the shaftportion of the stud 6 8. This contact assembly comprises a disc 5| ofinsulating material and a bridging contact plate 52. The ear 4! of thedrive disc 43 fits into a notch 53 provided in the periphery of the disc5|. The disc 5| is also provided with suitably spaced notches about theaxis of the disc 5| to receive prongs formed integral on the bridgingcontact plate 52 to hold the bridging plate in assembled relation withthe disc 5|.

The movable contact plate 52 is mounted upon the disc 5| on the sideopposite to the side which faces the drive plate 43. The bridgingcontact plate has three radially disposed arms 55 which are deformed toprovide grooves 58 to receive rounded heads of contact terminal rivets59 suitably supported and insulated from each other on a closure 69.

The housing 2| is closed by the closures 66 which carries a plurality ofconducting terminal rivets 59 having a rounded head which are adapted tofit into thedeformations or grooves 56 in the arms 55. The grooves 56are provided with. suitable shoulders at one end which cooperate withthe rounded heads of the rivets to prevent reverse rotation of thecontact assembly on the stud 40. A compression spring W interposedbetween the drive plate 43and the disc 5| operates in two directions.The spring it operates to urge constantly in one direction the variouselements associated with the contact assembly 50 towards the closure 50and in the opposite direction to urge the drive plate against the plungr element 3| and the plunger element against the back wall ll of thehousing so that the plunger element will have a sliding engagement withthe back wall. The spring it also furnishes the necessary pressure toeffect a good contact engagement between the arms 55 and the roundedhead of the rivet terminals 59, as is obvious from the showing in Fig.2. The spring 10 permits the contact assembly to yield axially on thestud 40 as the contact assembly is moved from one position to another bythe actuation of the plunger 3|. Since the contact wheel 52 is providedwith three radial arms 55 having grooves 56 with shoulder restingagainst the headed rivets the contact assembly 86 is prevented-frommoving in a reverse direction when the plunger element is returned toits normal position by the springs 26 and 35. g

The closure supports a pair of conducting brackets I4 and 15 within thehousing 2|. The bracket H is provided with an extendingarm 76 whichcarries a rubbing block I? and a'contact 18 while the bracket 15 isprovided with an angular car 19 which carries a relative stationarycontact 80. The arm 15 is so supported on the closure 50 that it will beadjacent the bottom wall 8| of the housing 2|. The bracket i5 issuitably insulated from the bottom wall ill by an insulating strip 82.In the normal position of the switch assemblage the movable contact I8is normally biased into engagement with the contact 8|] due to theresiliency of the arm 76. One arm of the rubbing block H is located in apath of a cam portion 83 formed on the marginal edge'of the enlargedportion 32 of the plunger element 3|. Thus when the plunger 35 ispartially actuated, as shown in Fig. i, the cam portion 83 will forcethe arm it, thru the block Ti, in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin Fig. 4. to separate the contact it from the contact 8%.

The reduced portion 33 of theplunger 3| car ries a pin or stud 85. Whenthe plunger is fully elevated the pin 85 will be located a predetermineddistance above the washer 25 which is equal to the distance theprojection Q6 is spaced from one of the straight edges 35 said distancebeing the amount the plunger can move before the drive disc 53 will berotated on the stud by the projection 36. When the plunger is actuated afull downward stroke the drive disc 13 and contact assembly 60 will berevolved by steps equal to one-sixth of a revolution.

Referring to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 6 the rivet heads 59 formthe stationary contacts on the closure 50. The stationary contact shouldbe referred to as follows: battery terminal 96 and 9|, dim lightterminal 92, bright light terminal 93, and dummy terminals and Q5. Theterminals Q6, 95 and 93 are electrically connected outside the closure6i? with lead wires. The battery terminals 98 and 9| are connected by alead :36 to one terminal of a storage battery 97. The other terminal ofthe storage battery 9?? is connected to ground indicated by referencecharacter 98. Terminal 92 is connected by lead 99 to a lead We whichisin turn connected to the dim filaments iili of headlight N32. The leadis also electrically connected to the stationary contact 86. The brightterminal 93 is connected by leads ltd to bright filaments lfi l of headlamm m2. Bracket 76 is electrically connected by a lead hit to afilament Hit of the passing light m8. All filaments of the various lampsare connected to ground in any suitable manner.

The switch assemblage in the present invention is adapted to control aplurality of circuits. In the present instance, the switch is used tocontrol the bright, dim and passing lighting circuits of an automotivevehicle. Referring to the wiring diagram, the plunger element is showndiagrammatically in its normal elevated position with the dim andpassing light filaments connected in circuit. In this position of theswitch mechanism the battery terminal 9% and the terminal 92 are bridgedby the movable contact 52 to complete a circuit from the current source23?. When in this position current will flow from one side of thebattery Q7 thru lead 9%, terminal 98, movable contact 52, terminal @2,lead Q9 connected to a lead me from whence it will be divided. A portionof the current will pass from the lead Edd to the dim filaments iill andback to battery thru the ground connection. Another portion of thecurrent w ll flow from the lead W? to the stationary contact 86, andthence through the movable contact l8, arm 36, bracket 76, lead ltd,thru filament it? of passing light i518, back to battery thru its groundconnection. This current flow will be maintained so long as the plungerelement 3| is not actuated. Should the operator desire to eliminatetemporarily the passing light from the lighting circuit the operatorwill then press lightly upon the button 3@ until the stud 85 contactswith the washer 25. When that happens the cam portion 83 will haveengaged the block El and forced the arm '56 outwardly to separate thecontacts iii and 89 to interrupt the current flow to the passing lightfilament 89?. Upon subsequent release of the pressure on the button 30,the spring 35 quickly becomes eifective to return the plunger to itsnormal position and thereby causing the arm 16 to act and again closesthe contacts ll, to connect again the passing lamp in the circuit.

When the operator desires to place the bright head lights in circuit hemanually depresses the plunger 3! a full stroke against the tension ofboth springs and 36. When this happens the projection 46 will haveengaged the proper straight edge and revolve the contact assemblysubstantially 60 degrees causing the movable contact 52 to change itsposition to bridge stationary contacts SI and 93 to connect the brightfilaments I04 in the circuit. In this position of the switch the currentflow will be as follows: from the battery 91 to lead 96, terminal 9|,movable contact 52, terminal 93, lead I03, and thence through the brightfilament Hi4 of the lamp I42 and back to battery thru the groundconnections. When the switch is in this position the movable contact 52will be so positioned that neither of the arms 55 will engage thestationary contact 92, thus no current can flow to the dim filamentsilli, consequently no current can flow thru the contacts 80 and 18 tothe passing light filament Hl'l. Thus, in this particular arrangementthe passing light will not be connected in the circuit when the brightlamps are connected.

While the switch assemblage is especially a master switch forcontrolling all the connections and arranged to connect alternately thebright and dim lights with the source; an auxiliary switch forcontrolling the distribution of current to the passing light when thedim lights are connected with the source; and a common actuator for themaster and the auxiliary switches, said actuator being capable ofmovement to operate the axiliary switch to disconnect the passing lightfrom the source without effecting the position of the master switch,whereby the dim lights are maintained in connection with the source.

2. In an electrical distributing system, the combination of bright, dimand passing lights; electrical connections for all the lights; a currentsource for all the lights; a master switch for controlling thedistribution 01 current to the bright and dim lights alternately; anauxiliary switch for controlling the distribution of current to thepassing light, a a common actuator for both switches, said actuatorbeing capable of predetermined movement to operate the auxiliary switchto disconnect the passing light from the source without effecting theposition of the master switch whereby the lights then connected with thesource by said master switch will keep on burning.

3. In a switching device for controlling the lighting appa atus of anautomotive vehicle which are operable to produce bright, dim and passinglighting conditions and which include electrical circuits forestablishing different lighting conditions, the combination of,switching means for controlling alternately the bright and dim lightapparatus in the circuit; switching means for connecting the passinglight apparatus in the circuit only when the dim light apparatus isconnected in the circuit; and a common actuator for both of theswitching means, said actuator being capable of movement a predetermineddistance for actuating the second mentioned switching means todisconnect the passing light from the circuit without effecting theposition of the first mentioned switch.

4. In a switching device for controlling the lighting apparatus of anautomotive vehicle which are operable to produce bright, dim and passinglighting conditions and which include electrical circuits forestablishing diiferent lighting conditions, the combination of,switching means for connecting alternately the bright and dim lightapparatus in the circuit; electrical connections for connecting thepassing light apparatus in circuit with the dim light,apparatus;switching means for controlling the circuit from the dim circuit to thepassing light apparatus; a common actuator for both switching means; anda lost motion connection for the actuator permitting the actuator tomove a certain distance to operate the second mentioned switching meansto open the circuit to passing light apparatus without effecting thecircuit to the dim light apparatus.

5. In a switching device for controlling the front lighting apparatus ofan automotive vehicle which are operable to produce bright, dim andpassing lighting conditions and which include electrical circuits forestablishing diflerent lighting conditions, the combination of,switching means for connecting alternately the bright and dim lightapparatus in the circuit, electrical connections for connecting thepassing light circuit in parallel with the dim light circuit, switchingmeans for controlling the passing light circuit; a single reciprocablemember for actuating both switching means; and yieldable means forpermitting the member to move a predetermined distance to actuate onlythe second mentioned switching means to open the circuit to the passinglight apparatus without effecting the position of the first mentionedswiching means.

6. In a switching device for controlling a plurality of currentconsuming signal devices which are operable toproduce predeterminedconditions and which include electrical circuits for establishingdifferent circuit conditions, the combination of, switching means forcontrolling alternately a circuit to devices having definitecharacteristics; electrical connections for connecting an auxiliarydevice in parallel with one oi the devices having differentcharacteristics; switching means for controlling the circuit to theauxiliary device; a common actuator for both switching means; andresilient means permitting the actuator to move a predetermined distanceto operate the second mentioned switching means to open the circuit tothe auxiliary device without eifecting the circuit connections to thedevice connected in parallel therewith.

'7. In an electrical distributing system, the combination of bright, dimand auxiliary lights, electrical connections for all the lights; acommon current source for supplying all the lights; a rotary masterswitch for controlling the distribution of current to all the lightswhereby the bright light and the dim and passing lights are connectedalternately with the source; a normaloscd oscillatable switch forcontrolling the trihution of current from the dim light circuit to theauxiliary light circuit; and a plunger element cooperabie with theswitches, said element adapted to move the rotary switch step-by-step inone direc ion only and to operate intermittently the oscillatableswitch.

8. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; rotary meansin the housing; a closure for the housing; stationary terminal con-.tacts carried by the closure; a bridging member carried by the rotarymeans for engagement with said terminal contacts; an auxiliary switchsupported within the housing comprising a stationary contact and amovable contact normally biased into engagement with its stationarycontact; and a single actuator extending into the housing for operatingthe rotary means and the auxiliary switch. said actuator including meansformed marginally 1 the actuator adapted to separate the auxiliarycontacts and hold said contacts separated while means formed on the faceof the actuator rei Jlve the rotary means in steps when the actuator ismoved in one direction.

9. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; rotary meansin the housing; a closure for the housing; stationary terminal contactscarried by the closure; a bridging member carried by the rotary meansfor engagement with said terminal contacts; an auxiliary switchsupported within the housing comprising a stationmy contact and amovable contact normally biased into engagement with its stationarycontact; a single actuator having a normal home position extending intothe housing; means for limiting the movements of the actuator in bothdirections; cam means carried by the actuator adapted to separateintermittently the auxiliary switch contact upon partial movement of theactuator from the normal home without'efi'ecting the position of therotary means position; means carried on the face of the actuator adaptedto revolve the rotor in steps upon iull movement of the actuator fromthe home position; and yieldable means for returning and holding theactuator in its home position.

10. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; a rotaryswitch supported within the housing comprising stationary contacts and arotor carrying a bridging member for engagement with the stationarycontacts; an auxiliary switch supported within the housing comprising asta- .tionary contact and a movable contact normally biased intoengagement with its stationary contact; a common manually actuatedmember extending into the housing adapted to operate said switch; meansformed on the marginal edge of the member within thehousing forseparating the auxiliary switch contacts upon a partial movement of themember in one direction without efiecting the position of the rotaryswitch; means formed on the face of the member within the housingadapted to revolve the rotor in steps upon completed movements of themember in said one direction; and resilient means supported within acasing supported by the housing for returning the member to its normalposition upon release-of the manual means to urge the member in. saidone direction.

11. In combination, a rotary switch for connectingsequentiallyapluralityof main terminals; a normally closed oscillatable switch electricallyassociated with one of the main terminals; a comaeseyrea mon actuatorfor said switches and having a normal home position; resilient means forholding normally the actuator in its home position, means carried by theactuator for opening the oscillatable switch each. time the actuator isdepressed a short distance from its home position without effecting theposition of the rotary switch; and additional means carried by theactuator for revolving the rotary switch in steps when the actuator ismoved its full distance from its home position, said resilient meansreturning the actuator to its home position upon release of the means tourge the actuator from its home position.

12. An electric switch comprising in combination; a housing; a rotaryswitch comprising stationary terminals carried by the housing and arotary contact mounted within the housing and adapted to bridge theterminals; an oscillatable switch comprising a stationary contact and amovable contact normally biased into engagement with the stationarycontact mounted within the housing; a plunger supported relative to theswitches and adapted to operate both of the switches when the plunger ismoved a predeter mined distance in one direction, said plunger having acam for actuating the oscillatable switch and having a projection foractuating the rotary contact step-by-step in one direction; a

pair of springs supported in superposed relation for holding the plungerin a normal position; and means to actuate the plunger from its normalposition, said plunger being adapted to move a certain distance tocompress one oi the springs against the tension of the other spring toopen the oscillatable switch without effecting the position of rotaryswitch.

13. An electric switch unit having a power terminal; distributingterminals; switching means in luding a rotary contact movable in onedirection only for connecting alternately the distributing terminalswith the power terminal; a normally closed switch including one of thedistributing terminals; a pawi-and-ratchet mechanism for actuatingrotary contact; and operating means for moving the pawl in a directionto 1'0- tate the rotary contact, said operating means having provisionsfor opening the second switch upon movement of the means in saiddirection, said provisions being so arranged with respect to the pawlthat the operating means is capable of partial movement in saiddirection to cause said provisions to open the second switch withoutcausing the pawl to change the position of the rotary switch and whenthe operating means is moved further in said one direction to cause thepawl to actuate the rotary switch the said provisions will hold thesecond switch open.

14. An electric switch unit having a power terminal; distributingterminals; switching means including a rotary contact movable in onedirection only for connecting alternately the distributing terminalswith the power terminal; a normally closed switch including one of thedistributing terminals; an operating member for actuating the switches;and means mounted as parts of the operating member for actuating theswitches, the operating member being operable to move the partstogether, said parts being so arranged that one part will open thenormally closed switch while another part is approaching a position toactuate the rotary switch and when the other part actuates the rotaryswitch to a new position the first part will hold the normally closedswitch open.

lo. 8 switch device comprising in combination, a, rotary switchincluding stationary terminals and a rotor carrying movable contact foralterhate engagement with the stationary terminals; a biased contactnormally engaging a stationary contact electrically connected with oneof the tera common actuator supported relative to the movable contactsand adapted to actuate both movable contacts, said actuator havingprovisions whereby the biased contact will be moved from its contactwhen the actuator is moved a certain distance in one direction withoutchanging the position of the other and said actuator having additionalprovisions whereby the rotor will be revolved in steps in one directiononly when the actuator is moved its full movement in said one direction;and resilient means for automatically returning the actuator to a homeposition upon release of the means which moves the actuator in said onedirection.

16. A switching mechanism comprising in combination: a rotary switchcomprising a power terminal and a plurality of distributing terminals; arotor carrying a bridging member for connecting alternately thedistributing terminals with the power terminal; an auxiliary switchcomprising a stationary contact electrically connected with one of theterminals and a biased contact normally in engagement with itsstationary contact; a common manually actuated member adapted to operatesaid switches, provision pro- 0 tons a in successive v the member insaid 01.11: direction; means for retiu'nin; the member to its normalcveznent o" id resilient position automation y ual means to direction.

17. A switching device compri. g in tion, a rotary switch includingstationary c v. v and a rotor carrying a bridging membenv ror gagementwith the stationary contacts; an oscillatable switch comprising astationary contact and a. movable contact normally biased intoengagement with the stationary contact; a common manually operatedactuator supported relatlve to the switches, said actuator carryingmeans whereby the contacts of osci'...atable switch would be separatedeach time the actuator is moved a predetermined distance in onedirection without changing the position of the rotary switch, and saidactuator having additi nal means for operating the rotary switch onlyafter said actuator is moved beyond said predetermined distance in thesaid direction; and resilient means for returning the actuator'to itsnormal position.

ARNOLD A. BLUEMLE.

upon release of the member in seiri one

